The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a report warning that progress in global health is at risk. The report stated on Wednesday that while the world has made strides, overall developments are uneven, have slowed, and in some areas, have even reversed.
Despite significant global health improvements over the last decade-benefits that have helped millions through better prevention, treatment, and access to basic services-the WHO noted that the world remains off track to achieve any of the sustainable health development goals by 2030.
On the positive side, the report listed major achievements. Between 2010 and 2024, the number of new HIV infections dropped by 40 percent. Consumption of tobacco and alcohol has also decreased since 2010, and the need for treatments for neglected tropical diseases fell by 36 percent. Furthermore, access to services critical for health outcomes expanded rapidly between 2015 and 2024. During this time, 961 million people gained access to safely managed drinking water, 1.2 billion to sanitation facilities, 1.6 billion to basic hygiene, and 1.4 billion to clean cooking methods.
Regional successes were noted, with the WHO’s Africa region achieving faster declines in HIV (-70 percent) and Tuberculosis (-28 percent) than the global average. Meanwhile, the Southeast Asia region is reportedly on track to meet its goal for malaria reduction by 2025.
However, serious challenges persist. For instance, the incidence of malaria increased by 8.5 percent since 2015, moving the world further from its global targets. Preventive risks continue to undermine health and slow progress. Anemia still affects 30.7 percent of women of reproductive age, showing no improvement in the last ten years. The prevalence of overweight among children under five years reached 5.5 percent in 2024. Moreover, gender-based violence remains widespread, affecting one in four women worldwide through partner violence.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented on the data: “These figures tell a story of both progress and persistent inequality, where many people-particularly women, children, and members of underserved communities-are still deprived of the basic prerequisites for a healthy life”. He stressed that “investments in stronger, fairer health systems, including resilient health data systems, are essential to taking targeted action, closing gaps, and ensuring accountability”.